Must a Body20 franchisee obtain all necessary government permits and licenses before beginning construction?
Body20 Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (b) Permit, Licenses, and Compliance.
Before beginning any construction, you, at your expense, must obtain all necessary government permits and licenses for the lawful construction and operation of your Studio.
You must abide by your landlord's rules and guidelines.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all Plans comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar rules governing public accommodations for persons with disabilities, other applicable ordinances, building codes, permit requirements, and lease requirements and restrictions.
Our review of your Plans is limited to ensuring your compliance with our design requirements and is not designed to assess compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances in your Territory ("Applicable Laws") or your Site Lease.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 74–251)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Body20's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is responsible for obtaining all necessary government permits and licenses at their own expense before starting any construction on their studio. The franchisee must also ensure that all construction plans comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicable ordinances, building codes, permit requirements, and lease requirements. Body20's review of the plans is limited to ensuring compliance with their design requirements and does not assess compliance with applicable laws.
Furthermore, the franchisee must abide by the landlord's rules and guidelines during construction. They must also provide Body20 with written notice identifying their proposed general contractor and ensure that the contractor is duly licensed and adequately insured. Construction cannot begin until Body20 has given written approval of the plans and the franchisee's choice of general contractor. Body20 may also require the franchisee to use only pre-approved general contractors, provided that one has been pre-approved in the franchisee's site selection area.
After construction is complete, the Body20 franchisee must promptly obtain a certificate of occupancy and provide a copy to Body20. The franchisee must complete construction and open their studio for business no later than 270 days after the effective date, unless Body20 grants a written extension, which may require paying an extension fee of $2,500 per month and executing a general release. The studio cannot open until Body20 provides written approval, which requires viewing the certificate of occupancy, confirming compliance with the plans and pre-opening marketing obligations, ensuring initial employees meet training requirements, and meeting the required minimum number of pre-opening members or paid membership sales.